Jigging (pirk) for Cod
Complete guide — gear, lures, season and tips.
Gear
- Rod
- Boat/pilker rod 2.1–2.4 m, casting weight 100–300 g, fast action
- Reel
- Multiplier reel 6000–8000 or a large spinning reel (Shimano Saragosa 8000, Penn Battle III 6000)
- Mainline
- Braid 0.30–0.50 mm (50–80 lb)
- Leader
- Fluorocarbon 0.80–1.0 mm, 2 m
- Hook
- Treble #2 to 6/0, single 3/0–8/0
- Weight
- Pilker 100–500 g depending on depth and current
Abu Garcia Devil Trolling
Shimano Beastmaster Boat
Daiwa Saltiga Hyper Inshore
Shimano Saragosa SW
Daiwa Saltist
Penn Squall
Lures / bait
- Pilkers 150–500 g (Hali Twister, Storm Gomoku, Kinetic Salty, Falkfish Storm Master)
- Bottom rig with fly hooks + pilker
- Large jigs 20–30 cm with a heavy head (200–400 g)
Season
Year-round in the Atlantic. Best in Norway Feb–May and Oct–Dec. Cod fishing in the Baltic is heavily restricted.
Time of day
All day
Pro tip
Boat fishing over 30–200 m of water. Use a fish-finder to locate reefs and edges. Long vertical strokes. Norway is best for big fish — Lofoten, Senja, Vesterålen. Note: Baltic Sea cod fishing is essentially closed — check current regulations.